GT-R R35 VR38DETT Engines
from £12,000 to £15,000
Rebuilt units from £12,000 · Common codes: VR38DETT, VR38DETR, VR30DDTT, VR38DETTN1
Get quotes from trusted UK Nissan GT-R engine specialists. Compare rebuilt and performance reconditioned prices for VR38DETT - 3.8L twin-turbo V6 covered. Find UK performance engine specialists.
GT-R R35 VR38DETT Engines
from £12,000 to £15,000
Rebuilt units from £12,000 · Common codes: VR38DETT, VR38DETR, VR30DDTT, VR38DETTN1
GT-R R32/R33/R34 RB26DETT Engines
from £8,000 to £11,000
Rebuilt units from £8,000 · Common codes: RB26DETT, RB25DET, RB20DET, RB16DET
GT-R NISMO & Track Edition Performance Engines
from £14,000 to £17,000
Rebuilt units from £14,000 · Common codes: VR38DETR, VR38DETTN1, VR38DETT (NISMO-spec)

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
The table below shows typical UK rebuilt engine costs across Nissan GT R variants - compare failure causes, engine codes, fuel types, and price ranges to benchmark what UK drivers are paying.


Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 1,081 verified customers who sourced reconditioned and used Nissan GT R engines through EngineMarket.
4.8
★★★★★
out of 5
1,081 verified reviews
“Thanks to EngineMarket, I saved over £1,200 on my engine replacement and got matched with a great local specialist within the hour.”
“Got three quotes within an hour and chose the best deal easily. The whole process was quick, clear and stress-free.”
“I wasn't sure what I needed, but they helped me identify the right engine and connected me with a trusted garage.”
“Thanks to EngineMarket, I saved over £1,200 on my engine replacement and got matched with a great local specialist within the hour.”












Not sure which variant your Nissan GT R is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every engine code fitted to the Nissan GT R across all generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed petrol and performance engine families across Nissan GT R variants.

VR38DETT - 3.8L Petrol
Main replacement demand comes from timing-chain, cooling-system and performance thermal-management faults.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£12,000 - £15,000
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can't find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we'll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Nissan GT R engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

The Nissan GT R's legendary performance comes with specific engine vulnerabilities across its RB26DETT and VR38DETT families. Head gasket failure on RB26 units and turbocharger issues on VR38 engines dominate UK replacement enquiries. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EngineMarket includes upgraded internal components designed to address the original...
RB26DETT Head Gasket Failure
Most affected vehicles
Nissan GT R R32, R33, R34 (1989-2002, RB26DETT)
Failure mileage range
70,000-100,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
Narrow coolant passages in the Y33 platform architecture cause localized overheating, leading to head gasket degradation as documented in Nissan Service Bulletin 97-NT-01.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Preventative Head Gasket Replacement - Replace gasket before catastrophic failure | £3,500 - £5,000 | £2,200 - £3,500 | Remove cylinder heads, replace OEM gasket with upgraded ARP studs, pressure test cooling system | Viable only if caught early; prevents major damage but doesn't address root coolant flow design |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt / Reconditioned Engine - Complete RB26DETT rebuild with upgraded internals | £11,000 - £14,000 | £8,000 - £11,000 | Supply & fit of rebuilt engine with upgraded head gaskets, forged internals, updated cooling components, bench-tested, 12-month warranty | Best long-term solution; addresses root cause with modern components, suitable for high-mileage or track use |
Our recommendation
On an R32/R33/R34 GT-R valued at £30,000-£80,000+, a full rebuilt engine with upgraded head gaskets offers better long-term value than repeated preventative repairs. We recommend the rebuilt option if mileage exceeds 80k or if coolant loss symptoms are present.
Compare rebuilt RB26DETT engine prices for your Nissan GT R
Every engine type is available through our UK network with typical price ranges based on variant, engine code and budget.
Compare Nissan GT R engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Nissan GT R within hours.

Every displacement fitted to the Nissan GT R is listed below, with compatible engine codes, production years and common failure notes to help you identify the correct replacement.
The 2.6L RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-6 powered all classic Skyline GT-R generations (R32/R33/R34, 1989-2002), earning legendary status for its tuning potential and racing heritage across the iconic JDM performance lineup.
Engine Code(s)
RB26DETT, RB25DET, RB20DET
Compatible Models (UK)
R32 GT-R (1989-1994), R33 GT-R (1995-1998), R34 GT-R
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Head gasket failure (Nissan SB 97-NT-01), oil pump drive collar wear on early R32, timing chain tensioner degradation
Production Years: 1999-2002
Compare Nissan GT R 2.6L petrol engine prices
Choose your Nissan GT R engine by fuel type to compare realistic replacement prices, known issues, and compatible UK supply options - from early RB26DETT classics to the latest VR38DETT performance variants.
All Nissan GT-R generations use high-performance petrol engines only, with twin-turbo RB26DETT (R32/R33/R34) and VR38DETT (R35) families dominating UK replacement enquiries.
Common Nissan GT R Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
All Nissan GT-R generations use high-performance petrol engines only, with twin-turbo RB26DETT (R32/R33/R34) and VR38DETT (R35) families dominating UK replacement enquiries.
Common Nissan GT R Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Nissan GT R has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Nissan GT R specialists.

This section covers all major engine changes across the Nissan GT-R's production timeline, organised so owners can quickly identify their engine and compare rebuilt engine prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
RB26DETT- 2.6L petrol twin-turbo (GT-R, V-Spec)
RB25DET- 2.5L petrol turbo (early export variants)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
RB26DETTRB25DET